Abdorrahman Boroumand Center

Situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Commission on Human Rights resolution 1997/54

The Commission on Human Rights,

Reaffirming that all States Members of the United Nations have an obligation to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms as stated in the Charter of the United Nations and as elaborated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenants on Human Rights and other applicable human rights instruments,

Mindful that the Islamic Republic of Iran is a party to the International Covenants on Human Rights,

Recalling previous resolutions of the General Assembly and the Commission on Human Rights on the subject, the most recent of which are Assembly resolution 51/107 of 12 December 1996 and Commission resolution 1996/84 of 24 April 1996,

1. Welcomes:

(a) The report of the Special Representative of the Commission (E/CN.4/1997/63);

(b) The request by the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran for technical assistance and advisory services from the High Commissioner/Centre for Human Rights;

2. Expresses its concern:

(a) At the continuing violations of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, in particular the large number of executions in the apparent absence of respect for internationally recognized safeguards, cases of torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, including amputation and public executions, the failure to meet international standards in the administration of justice and the absence of due process of law;

(b) At the grave breaches of the human rights of the Baha'is in the Islamic Republic of Iran and situations of discrimination against the members of this religious community, as well as at the discriminatory treatment of minorities by reason of their religious beliefs, including certain Christian minorities, some members of which have been the targets of intimidation and assassination;

(c) At the lack of continuity in the cooperation of the Government with the mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights;

(d) At the continuing threat to the life of Mr. Salman Rushdie, as well as to individuals associated with his work, which appear to have the support of the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and deeply regrets the increase announced in the bounty offered for the assassination of Mr. Rushdie by the 15 Khordad Foundation;

(e) At violations of the right to peaceful assembly and restrictions on the freedoms of expression, thought, opinion and the press, and the harassment and intimidation of writers and journalists seeking to exercise their freedom of expression, the arrest of the writer Faraj Sarkuhi being only the most recent example of such unacceptable practices;

(f) At the lack of full and equal enjoyment by women of human rights, while noting efforts to integrate women more fully into the political, economic and cultural life of the country;

3. Calls upon the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran:

(a) To resume its cooperation with the mechanisms of the Commission on Human Rights, in particular with the Special Representative in order to allow him to continue his inquiry first-hand and to continue his dialogue with the Government;

(b) To abide by its freely undertaken obligations under the International Covenants on Human Rights and under other international instruments on human rights, and to ensure that all individuals within its territory and subject to its jurisdiction, including members of religious groups and persons belonging to minorities, enjoy all the rights enshrined in those instruments;

(c) To implement fully the recommendations of the Special Representative and the relevant recommendations of the Special Rapporteurs on religious intolerance and on freedom of opinion and expression, in particular the recommendations relating to the Baha'is, Christians, Sunni and other minority religious groups;

(d) To take effective measures to eliminate all discrimination against women, in law and in practice;

(e) To refrain from violence against members of the Iranian opposition living abroad and to cooperate wholeheartedly with the authorities of other countries in investigating and prosecuting offences reported by them;

(f) To provide satisfactory written assurances that it does not support or incite threats to the life of Mr. Rushdie;

(g) To ensure that capital punishment will not be imposed for apostasy or non-violent crimes, or in disregard of the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the United Nations safeguards;

4. Decides:

(a) To extend the mandate of the Special Representative, as contained in Commission resolution 1984/54 of 14 March 1984, for a further year, and requests the Special Representative to submit an interim report to the General Assembly at its fifty-second session and to report to the Commission at its fifty-fourth session, and to keep a gender perspective in mind when seeking and analysing information;

(b) To request the Secretary-General to continue to give all necessary assistance to the Special Representative to enable him to discharge his mandate fully;

(c) To continue its examination of the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, including the situation of minority groups such as the Baha'is, at its fifty-fourth session under the agenda item entitled "Question of the violation of human rights and fundamental freedoms in any part of the world, with particular reference to colonial and other dependent countries and territories".

64th meeting
15 April 1997

[Adopted by a roll-call vote of 26 votes to 7, with 19 abstentions. See chap. X.]

HOME | SITE MAP | SEARCH | INDEX | DOCUMENTS | TREATIES | MEETINGS | PRESS | STATEMENTS

© Copyright 1996-2000

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

Geneva, Switzerland